1:30 LRN Newscast

A now-former principal and assistant football coach at Hamilton Christian School in Lake Charles are among three arrested in an investigation into hazing within the football team. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says Principal Morgan Daugherty and Coach Dominique Washington failed to report the incidents, which he said crossed the line into sexual assault.

Cut 5 (04) “…of our investigation.”

A former school cook, Stacy Bargeman, is also arrested for allegedly sending threatening messages about the investigation.

Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin was grilled by reporters about his future during the SEC football coaches weekly media teleconference, but Kiffin didn’t provide any new insight. Kiffin was asked if Rebels athletics director Keith Carter has given him an ultimatum to decide on where he plans to coach next season, whether it’s at Ole Miss, LSU or Florida.

Cut 12 (10) “…this point.”

Lincoln Parish is mourning the death of Ruston Fire Department Chief Chris Womack, who died at the age of 54 after a brief battle with cancer.  Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker appointed Womack as fire chief in 2015 and says his leadership of that department is unparalleled.

Cut 9 (10)  “..was fair.”

Womack found out months ago he had cancer because of a new-mandatory state cancer screening for current and former firefighters.

Louisiana is approved for almost 1.36-billion dollars in federal funding to expand broadband internet access across the state. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect-L-A, says it’s a major milestone for the state’s GUMBO 2.0 program. 

Cut 7 (09) “…next 24 months.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

A bill to force the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files is now on President Trump’s desk. This, after the House and Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of forcing their release. During floor debate, Speaker Mike Johnson said even though he had planned to vote “yes,” it was nothing but a show vote by the Democrats.

Cut 13 (13)  “…word about it.”

Louisiana is the first state in the country to be approved for almost 1.36-billion dollars in federal funding to expand broadband internet access across the state. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect-L-A, says it will allow the state to provide everyone with reliable, cost-effective high-speed internet.

Cut 6 (10) “…get to historically.”

Three former employees at a Lake Charles Christian school are arrested for allegedly covering up sexual assaults at the school from earlier this year. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says there was a culture on the Hamilton Christian School football team in which older players would haze the younger players, and it crossed the line into sexual assault. He says Principal Morgan Daugherty and Assistant Coach Dominique Washington knew about the incidents and, as school personnel, were required to report them to law enforcement.

Cut 4 (05) “…reported to us.”

Daugherty and Washington are being held on more than a million dollars bond apiece. Also, a school cook, Stacy Bargeman, was arrested for allegedly sending threatening messages about the investigation. No football players have been arrested so far.

LRN AM Newscall November 19

Amid the stalemate over Affordable Care Act subsidies that ground the federal government to a halt for 43 days, Senator Bill Cassidy says he has a better idea. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Lane Kiffin sweepstakes is heating up as the coach juggles similar offers from Ole Miss, Florida and LSU. Michael Katz of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal spoke to Tiger Rag radio about the drama. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The Jeffrey Epstein files will soon be released. Both the House and Senate voted yesterday to force the attorney general’s office to release all the files in its possession; and despite going to great lengths to fight their release, President Trump says he will sign it. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Amid the disagreement over an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that ground the federal government to a halt for 43 days, Senator Bill Cassidy says he has a better idea – give that subsidy directly to the American people. Cassidy says that money currently goes to the insurance companies, and a significant portion of it is not going towards patient care.

Cut 4 (09) “…profit and overhead.”

Cassidy says under his plan, the people are in full control of their health care dollars.

Cut 5 (12) “…her family’s health.”

Cassidy says his plan essentially redirects taxpayer money from those who don’t need it to those who do need it.

Cut 6 (14) “…care they need.”

Cassidy says some Democrats have said they’re receptive to his idea; now, he says it’s a matter of getting enough of them onboard to make it work. He says his plan also has the support of President Trump.

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LSU restarts its Corps of Cadets program for the first time since 1968. The first cadets were sworn in over the weekend in a ceremony on the Tiger Stadium field in front of more than 100-thousand LSU fans. Board of Supervisors member Rico Avendia says whereas LSU has always had the ROTC program, the restarting of the Corps of Cadets opens up military training to the general student body.

Cut 7 (07) “…military at all.”

Avendia says being in the Corps of Cadets program will give students very valuable experience.

Cut 8 (07) “…it this year.”

Avendia says with minor degrees in national defense or cybersecurity, graduates of the Corps of Cadets program can move on to have very successful careers.

Cut 9 (08)  “…program at LSU.”

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The college football world is waiting for an answer from Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin as LSU, Florida and others try to tempt him away from Oxford in the midst of a 10-and-1 campaign with the Rebels. Michael Katz of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal says there’s a lot of confusion around Kiffin’s future.

Cut 10 (08) “…another direction.”

Kiffin denied reports he was given an ultimatum by Ole Miss brass, but Katz says there is certainly mounting urgency in Oxford to get a decision before their regular season finale in the Egg Bowl on November 28th.

Cut 11 (11) “…going to go.”

Kiffin’s ex-wife visited both Baton Rouge and Gainesville this week. Katz says Kiffin faced a similar decision almost exactly three years ago as he was courted by Auburn, and he won’t be hasty to make a decision.

Cut 12 (11) “…bitten him.”

____________________________________________________________

A bill to force the attorney general to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein in her office’s possession is now on President Trump’s desk. This, after the House voted nearly unanimously to pass it, and the Senate followed suit with its unanimous vote. The House vote was 427-1, with Republican Clay Higgins casting the only “no” vote. During floor debate, Speaker Mike Johnson said even though he had planned to vote “yes,” it was nothing but a show vote by the Democrats.

Cut 13 (13)  “…word about it.”

Johnson resisted bringing the measure up for a vote; his hand was forced when a discharge petition sponsored by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna got the required 218 signatures. Johnson said he wants to protect the rights of the victims.

Cut 14 (08) “…to further harm.”

Johnson says this is a political stunt by the Democrats.

Cut 15 (09) “…this wretched scandal.”

In explaining his “no” vote, Higgins said the release of the files as dictated in the current form of the bill will result in innocent people being hurt. Higgins and Johnson are urging the Senate to amend the bill to address the privacy of the victims identified in the files.

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The Saints look to win two straight as they host the Falcons this Sunday. Starting quarterback Tyler Shough is coming off his first career win, and head coach Kellen Moore says the rookie is operating at a high level.

Cut 16 (17) “…created some points.”

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in Atlanta’s loss to the Panthers last week. In order to stop veteran backup Kirk Cousins this Sunday, Moore says the team will have to rely on a collective defensive performance.

Cut 17 (14)  “…a group effort.”

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Western Kentucky travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU this weekend in Tiger Stadium. There’s a chance Saturday’s matchup will be a battle of the backup quarterbacks if Michael Van Buren gets his second straight start, as Hilltoppers’ head coach Tyson Helton says backup Rodney Tisdale Jr. has done enough to continue to start this season.

Cut 18 (18)  “…ready to play.”

Kickoff in Tiger Stadium is at 6:45 p.m.

_______________________________________________________________

ULM football has lost six straight games as the Warhawks enter the last two weeks of the season. Head coach Bryant Vincent wants his team to keep fighting and believes they will persevere.

Cut 19 (15) “…the only way.”

The Warhawks are on the road Saturday as they face Texas State at 4 p.m.

_______________________________________________________________

After dropping a close game to Nicholls this past Saturday, Northwestern State has a quick turnaround as the Demons will face Stephen F. Austin tomorrow. The Demons have only won one game this season, but head coach Blaine McCorkle likes the fight of his team.

Cut 20 (10) “…proud of them.”

Kickoff in Turpin Stadium tomorrow night is 6:30 p.m.

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

The Jeffrey Epstein files will soon be released. After the House passed the legislation with only one “no” vote – that coming from Clay Higgins – the Senate followed suit with its own unanimous vote, sending it to President Trump for his signature. Democrat Troy Carter says the 50-thousand pages released thus far only scratches the surface, and the files take on many forms.

Cut 5 (13) “…actual video footage.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said even though he was a “yes” vote, he called it a political stunt by the Democrats.

Cut 15 (09) “…this wretched scandal.”

Even though Trump had gone to great lengths to stop the release of the files, he has since done a 180 and said he will sign the measure.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was a guest on ESPN’s Pat McAfee show with rumors swirling he could leave Oxford for LSU. Jeff Palermo has more on what Kiffin said…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In light of today’s massive Cloudflare outage, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has extended the registration deadline for the latest round of the fortified roof grant lottery to Thursday. The deadline was originally tomorrow. There are one-thousand grants available to homeowners in the Coastal Zone, Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake.

1:30 LRN Newscast

The House has unanimously passed a measure to force the release of the Epstein files. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the files take on many forms.

Cut 5 (13) “…actual video footage.”

The measure now goes to the Senate; and despite previously calling it a Democratic hoax, President Trump now says he would sign it if it reaches his desk.

The mayor of Vivian, in Caddo Parish, says his tight-knit community is shaken to the core following Friday’s murder of police officer Marc Brock. He was shot to death as he was investigating a cyberstalking complaint against 58-year-old Nicolas Alexander. Mayor Ronnie Festavan says this is something that one would never expect to happen in Vivian.

Cut 6 (08) “…a long time.”

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was a guest on ESPN’s Pat McAfee show with rumors swirling he could leave Oxford for LSU. Jeff Palermo has more on what Kiffin said…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has announced that the registration deadline for the next round of the fortified roof grant program has been extended to this Thursday. The deadline was originally going to be tomorrow, but the system went down this morning because of the national cloudflare outage and the insurance department wanted to give people extra time to register. 

12:30 LRN Newscast

We’re awaiting a vote in the House on forcing the release of the Epstein files. The vote was forced after 218 House members signed onto a discharge petition. So far about 50-thousand pages have already been released. Congressman Troy Carter, who says he’s in favor of releasing the files, says that only scratches the surface.

Cut 4 (09) “…lot of people.”

The Caddo Parish community of Vivian continues to grieve the senseless line-of-duty killing of Officer Marc Brock. He was shot to death as he was investigating a cyberstalking complaint against 58-year-old Nicolas Alexander. Mayor Ronnie Festavan says the whole community is coming together to help Brock’s family and loved ones, and you can help too.

Cut 8 (08) “…can donate to.”

Mayor Festivan says Brock is believed to be the first Vivian police officer to be killed in the line of duty.

A former basketball player from UNO comes clean on his involvement in a point-shaving scheme. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 23 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

The House is expected to vote at around one Central time on releasing the Epstein files. Even though he had previously gone to great lengths to prevent the vote from happening, President Trump has now said he would sign the measure should it reach his desk. Congressman Troy Carter says no matter who’s named in those files, they need to be held accountable.

Cut 3 (10) “…brought to justice.”

The Caddo Parish community of Vivian continues to mourn the line-of-duty killing of police officer Marc Brock. He was shot to death Friday evening as he was investigating a cyberstalking complaint against 58-year-old Nicolas Alexander. Mayor Ronnie Festavan says it underscores the dangers that police officers face every day.

Cut 7 (11) “…that comes up.”

State and local officials celebrate the completion of a broadband expansion project at the Vernon Parish Library. ConnectLA executive director Veneeth Iyengar says the project will bring necessary infrastructure to thousands of homes and businesses.

Cut 10 (09) “…generations to come.”

A former UNO basketball player admits to his role in a point shaving scandal. The NCAA accused Dae Dae Hunter and two of his teammates of intentionally trying to lose against the point spread in at least seven games last season. Hunter told ABC’s Good Morning America he and others were approached by a bettor from Las Vegas who had reason to believe that the Privateers and their players were easy targets. 

Cut 14 (06) “…a certain spread.”

Hunter said he agreed to be in on it so that he could get money to care for his newborn child.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The mayor of Vivian, in Caddo Parish, says his tight-knit community is shaken to the core following Friday’s murder of police officer Marc Brock. He was shot to death as he was investigating a cyberstalking complaint against 58-year-old Nicolas Alexander. Mayor Ronnie Festavan says this is something that one would never expect to happen in Vivian.

Cut 6 (08) “…a long time.”

Thanksgiving is historically the single busiest holiday for travel, and this year is expected to be no different. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says to expect a large number of travelers on the road for this year’s holiday.

Cut 4 (08) “…traveling by vehicle.”

Unless you’re hitting the road Thanksgiving day, make sure you leave as early in the day as possible; because as the day progresses, traffic will get heavier and heavier.

A visit to Baton Rouge by Lane Kiffin’s ex-wife is fueling speculation on whether the Ole Miss head coach will be coming to LSU. Florida is also pursuing Kiffin, and Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says as Kiffin weighs his options, one very influential opinion could be that of Nick Saban.

Cut 8 (13) “…it this year.”

As for the team that Kiffin could end up coaching, the Tigers play their final home game of the season Saturday night against Western Kentucky. Interim Head Coach Frank Wilson says he’s not sure at this point whether quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will be healthy enough to play.

Cut 16 (12) “…answers just yet.”

LRN AM Newscall November 18

Thanksgiving is historically the single busiest holiday for travel, and this year is expected to be no different. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A few certain visitors to Baton Rouge are fueling speculation over LSU’s football coaching search. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A former basketball player from UNO comes clean on his involvement in a point-shaving scheme. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Thanksgiving is historically the single busiest holiday for travel, and this year is expected to be no different. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says to expect a large number of travelers on the road for this year’s holiday.

Cut 4 (08) “…traveling by vehicle.”

As the roads are expected to be busy, Redman says the best time for drivers to travel is during the early morning hours so that they can avoid congestion later in the day.

Cut 5 (09) “…tons of traffic.”

While many drivers prepare to hit the roads for Thanksgiving week, Redman says now is the time to make sure your vehicle is running smoothly.

Cut 6 (09) “…your spare tire.”

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Some very special visitors to Baton Rouge yesterday are fueling speculation over LSU’s football coaching vacancy. Lane Kiffin’s ex-wife and several Kiffin family members were scouting the area, one day after they had toured Gainesville, Florida. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau says Kiffin’s current school, Ole Miss, wants him to make a decision this week as to where he’s going to go, if anywhere.

Cut 7 (08) “…at Ole Miss.”

As Kiffin weighs his options, Guilbeau says one very influential opinion could be that of Nick Saban, who shares an agent with Kiffin.

Cut 8 (13) “…it this year.”

Guilbeau says if Kiffin is leaning towards leaving Ole Miss, despite repeatedly saying he loves it in Oxford, LSU has one significant advantage over Florida when it comes to recruiting.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Florida State, Miami”

As for a certain junior linebacker on LSU’s roster, Guilbeau says the fact that Whit Weeks is dating Kiffin’s daughter will have no bearing on what he ultimately decides to do.

____________________________________________________________

State and local officials will celebrate the completion of a broadband expansion project at the Vernon Parish Library this morning. ConnectLA executive director Veneeth Iyengar says the project will bring necessary infrastructure to thousands of homes and businesses.

Cut 10 (09) “…generations to come.”

Iyengar says not only will residents enjoy faster speeds, they’ll do so at a lower price. Previously, homes paid as much as 200 dollars a month for subpar internet connections.

Cut 11 (13) “…what they’ve had.”

And this won’t be the end of Louisiana’s investment in connectivity. Iyengar says there could be as many as seven more ribbon cuttings across the state before the end of the year.

Cut 12 (11) “…by Louisiana companies.”

The Leesville celebration begins at 10:30.

____________________________________________________________

A former UNO basketball player owns up to his mistake. Dae Dae Hunter appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America and admitted to his role in a point shaving scandal. The NCAA accused Hunter and two of his teammates, Duquavian Short and Jamond Vincent, of intentionally trying to lose against the point spread in at least seven games last season. Hunter admitted he was in on it.

Cut 13 (08)  “…miss a couple.”

Hunter told Good Morning America he and others were approached by a bettor from Las Vegas who had reason to believe that the Privateers and their players were easy targets.

Cut 14 (06) “…a certain spread.”

Hunter told Good Morning America that he did it so that he could get money to care for his newborn child. When investigators first confronted him, he said he denied any involvement before coming clean.

Cut 15 (06) “…I knew everything.”

The NCAA has permanently banned all three players. The scandal will certainly bring back painful memories among New Orleans college basketball fans of a certain age; it comes 40 years after a nearly identical scandal shut down Tulane’s men’s basketball program for four years.

____________________________________________________________

LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson and backup quarterback Michael Van Buren earned their first win leading the Tigers Saturday. Starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has fought through injuries all season, and Wilson is unsure who will get the start in the team’s final home game this weekend.

Cut 16 (12) “…answers just yet.”

Van Buren threw for 221 yards and a touchdown against the Razorbacks. Wilson says they kept the game plan simple for the sophomore, but it took him a while to settle into his first start.

Cut 17 (16)  “…that he did.”

Freshman running back Harlem Berry split reps with Caden Durham this week after leading the backfield against Alabama. Each has flashed this season, but the Tigers’ rushing attack is just now coming into its own under Wilson. He says freshman backs need time to learn and grow without the ball, and experience is the best teacher.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to bear itself.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

The Caddo Parish community of Vivian is mourning the line-of-duty murder of a police officer. Marc Brock was among the officers investigating a cyberstalking complaint Friday evening against 58-year-old Nicolas Alexander, when investigators say Alexander opened fire through the front door, killing Brock. Caddo Parish Commissioner Chris Kracman says Brock accomplished so much in his short time on Earth.

Cut 3 (10) “…a police officer.”

A former UNO basketball player admitted to being involved in a point-shaving scheme. Dae Dae Hunter told ABC’s  Good Morning America that he did it so that he could get money to care for his newborn child. When investigators first confronted him, Hunter said he denied any involvement before coming clean.

Cut 15 (06) “…I knew everything.”

A Southeastern Louisiana University chemistry professor who was removed as the lead of the Lake Maurepas Monitoring Project is asking to be reinstated. A report was published in which Dr. Fereshteh Emami (fuh-RESH-teh uh-MAH-mee) described elevated levels of toxic metals and pollution in the lake. Her attorney, William Most, says that caught university officials off-guard.

Cut 10 (08) “…from heavy industry.”

Southeastern says Dr. Emami’s complaint will be given due consideration to ensure that fairness and due process are afforded.

Nicholls won its final home game of the season, beating rival Northwestern State 26-21. With the win, Coach Tommy Rybacki will finish Southland play with at least a .500 record.

Cut 20 (17) “…the season.”